BEIJING, Feb. 12 -- David Beckham earned the plaudits of his teammates, Fabio Capello and the Spanish media after he marked his return with a goal that helped Real Madrid to a 2-1 comeback victory at Real Sociedad on Saturday.

    Beckham, sidelined for a month by Capello following his announcement that he would join MLS side LA Galaxy at the end of the season, canceled out Sociedad's early lead, courtesy of a header from midfielder Mikel Aranburu, with a trademark free kick eight minutes before halftime.

    Ruud van Nistelrooy secured the victory with a brave header, three minutes into the second half to give Real its first points in three games.

    "Beckham spares the life of his executioner," was Marca's verdict on the midfielder's goal, saying that Capello was in debt to the former England captain after his performance.

    "A gift from Beckham to Capello," was El Pais's description of the goal, while most papers were agreed that the victory had saved the former Juventus coach from dismissal.

    Capello, who said Beckham's professional attitude in training had persuaded him to reverse his decision to exclude him for the rest of the season, was delighted with his performance. "You have to be happy when players score important goals and David's goal was very important," the Italian told a news conference after the game.

    "He played a great game and deserves the credit.

    "As I said before, the mark of an intelligent person is one who knows how to rectify his mistakes."

Real Madrid's David Beckham celebrates his goal against Real Sociedad during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Real Sociedad's Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian Feb. 10, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Van Nistelrooy also heaped praise on his former Manchester United colleague. "Beckham has been fantastic, his attitude has been brilliant," said the Dutchman.

    "When you go for a month without playing it isn't easy to be at your best but he always trains hard and has a very positive attitude. That's why you can always bet on him. It was a great day for him."

    The victory, coming after back-to-back defeats by Levante and Villarreal, lifted Real to third place in the table with 41 points from 22 games, two behind leader FC Barcelona, which was at Racing Santander yesterday.

    Sociedad remains one point off the bottom and eight from safety with all its immediate rivals playing later yesterday.

    Sevilla missed the chance to take over from Barcelona at the top when it was held to a 0-0 draw by city rival Real Betis in Saturday's late match.

    Juande Ramos's side, unstoppable before the Christmas break, has now won just one of six league games this year.

    The draw keeps it in second spot, level on 43 points with Barca.

    Betis striker Robert spurned the chance to give Luis Fernandez's side the lead when he skied an 11th-minute penalty over the bar after Fernando appeared to dive in the area.

    The Brazilian missed another opportunity to put his side ahead when he was put clear late on in the game, but he fired straight at Sevilla keeper Andres Palop.

    (Source: Shanghai Daily)